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Forefront Austin partners are the top thinkers and doers from Central Texas nonprofit, civic and corporate sectors.   Each month, Forefront Austin partners offer their answers to key questions facing Central Texas, providing their vision for a robust, engaged and vibrant community.  Contact Jill Weir to learn how to become a Forefront Austin partner.

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( Forefront partners in bold red )
Organizationsort icon Type
Connections Individual & Family Services

Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc. (Connections), established in 1981, is a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded by a group of community leaders to provide a safe and secure alternative from the “streets” for homeless, abused, or at-risk youth. The agency’s mission is to “Provide youth, families, and communities opportunities for a brighter future.

Social Services
Conspirare

Inspired by the power of music to change lives, Conspirare engages audiences in extraordinary musical experiences through world-class choral performances and recordings. The Conspirare ensembles’ 2009-2010 season consisted of 25 performances of eight different programs, in Austin, Wimberley, Fredericksburg, San Antonio and Victoria. In February 2010 Conspirare was an invited, featured choir at the annual convention of the American Choral Directors Association/Eastern Division in Philadelphia.

Arts & Culture
Convio

Convio is the leading provider of donor management and fundraising solutions that enable nonprofit organziations to maximize the value of every supporter relationship. With Convio solutions, nonprofits of all sizes can more effectively raise funds, advocate for change and cultivate relationships with donors, activists, volunteers, alumni and other supporters.

Convio offers two complete solutions for nonprofits:

Convio® Luminate™ for large, enterprise nonprofits with complex multi-channel integration and analytic needs.

Convio® Common Ground ™ for small to mid-sized nonprofits seeking a complete donor management and fundraising solution that is affordable, easy to use, and helps save valuable staff time.

Follow Convio on FaceBook Follow Convio on Twitter View Convio Videos on YouTube View Convio Profile on LinkedIn

Philanthropy Resources
Creative Action

The mission of Creative Action  (formerly Theatre Action Project)  is to foster the academic, social and emotional development of young people. Through interactive classroom performances, after school arts residencies and community-based programs, Creative Action’s team of professional teaching artists inspire youth to be creative artists, courageous allies, critical thinkers and confident leaders in their community.

Organization Links:

Follow Creative Action on FaceBook Follow Creative Action on Twitter  View Creative Action Videos on YouTube

Arts & Culture
Dell

For more than a quarter century, Dell has played a critical role in transforming computing, enabling more affordable and more pervasive access to technology around the world. The company’s technology solutions improve customers’ productivity, enhances their lives and meets their distinct needs.

Headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, Dell serves customers ranging from the world’s largest and most demanding businesses and public-sector organizations, to small and medium businesses, and consumers worldwide. Recognized for its ability to provide customers personalized, built-to-order technology through direct, online and retail channels, nearly 80 percent of Dell’s $53 billion in revenue last year was driven by enterprise products, services and solutions it delivers to businesses and organizations. Dell’s nearly 100,000 team members worldwide are deeply committed to corporate responsibility. The company ranks among Working Mother Magazine’s 100 Best Companies and first among Newsweek’s Greenest Companies in America.

At Dell, we promote an environment that thrives on innovation. To deliver effective solutions that meet customer challenges, Dell employs an open, standards-based approach to technology innovation. Each year, Dell honors the outstanding inventors among its employees.

Dell Powering the Possible™ is Dell’s commitment to put technology and expertise to work where it can do the most good for people and the planet. Dell acts to strengthen communities, preserve the environment, engage a diverse and inclusive workforce, and ensure supply chain responsibility. Learn more at www.dell.com/poweringthepossible.

Corporate Partner
Dell Children's Medical Center

Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas is the only dedicated freestanding pediatric facility in the region.  Serving a 46-county area and beyond, Dell Children’s is the premier health care provider for children and adolescents. Dell Children’s is a truly one-of-a-kind place that gives Central Texas families access to a wide range of healthcare services. Children are cared for with a family-centered approach that keeps patients close to loved ones at all times. And our dedicated multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists and nurses are all committed to a single purpose: making your child feel like a kid again.

Health & Wellness
Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas

Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, a member of the Seton Healthcare Family, is a center of excellence for Central Texas consisting of a strong alliance of expert personnel, facilities and other specialty resources dedicated to the care of children and adolescents within a forty-six county referral region. We believe no child should be refused necessary care and attention for lack of ability to pay.

 

Organization Links:

Follow Seton on FaceBook Follow Dell Children's on Twitter View Seton Videos on YouTube                    

Health & Wellness
Dini Partners

More than just fundraising consultants, Dini Partners works with clients to achieve a broad range of institutional objectives by setting goals and financial strategies, mobilizing volunteers, raising funds, building community partnerships and assessing outcomes. They help our clients realize their missions with confidence and demonstrated success.

Services are grouped into three major divisions:

  • 1) Leadership and Teamwork
  • 2) Planning and Mission Performance
  • 3) Fundraising.
Philanthropy Resources
DonorsChoose.org

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Here's how it works: public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class. Then, you can browse project requests and give any amount to the one that inspires you. Once a project reaches its funding goal, we deliver the materials to the school. You'll get photos of your project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent. If you give over $100, you'll also receive hand-written thank-you letters from the students. At DonorsChoose.org, you can give as little as $1 and get the same level of choice, transparency, and feedback that is traditionally reserved for someone who gives millions. We call it citizen philanthropy.

Philanthropy Resources
Downtown Austin Alliance

The Downtown Austin Alliance is a partnership of individuals and businesses devoted to promoting and maintaining a safe, clean, attractive, accessible, and fun Downtown environment, making Downtown the destination for Austinites and visitors.

Associations
Dress For Success Austin

The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help our clients find jobs and remain employed. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and can return for a second suit or separates when she finds work.

Education & Literacy
E3 Alliance

The E3 Alliance believes fundamentally that Education Equals Economics.  It is a regional collaborative dedicated to developing a comprehensive, data-driven view of the Central Texas education landscape with the intention of aligning education with employment needs through The Blueprint for Educational Change.  The Blueprint is a first of its kind strategic plan that addresses the regional education needs across the entire continuum, from cradle to career. The Blueprint is the Central Texas community’s effort to build the most successful educational pipeline in the country and to ensure our competitiveness and quality of life as a region.

Education & Literacy
EarthShare Texas

EarthShare of Texas is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation is committed to making environmental support as easy as possible by giving working people the ability to donate through workplace payroll contribution campaigns. Founded by its member charities in 1988, EarthShare is an opportunity for environmentally-conscious employees and workplaces to support hundreds of environmental groups through a charitable giving drive. EarthShare of Texas participates in campaigns at hundreds of public and privates sector workplaces.

Today EarthShare of Texas represents and supports more than 70 of America's most respected environmental and conservation groups, including 39 national organizations and hundreds of local groups in 18 affiliate states. EarthShare of Texas' member organizations work hard every day to safeguard your health and the environment by combating global warming, protecting ancient forests, protecting our water from toxic contaminants, saving endangered species and so much more. All of these efforts are supported by EarthShare of Texas' mission.

Environment
East Austin College Prep

East Austin College Prep (EAPrep) is an innovative, tuition-free public school open to 6th, 7th and 8th graders living in East Austin. The Academy will open to 9th graders in 2012. The new school is located at Southwest Key’s Centro de Familia, a state-of-the-art facility constructed in 2008. This Academy is the realization of a long standing dream to have a community middle school located right in the heart of the Govalle/Johnston Terrace neighborhood. Come take a tour and see for yourself how every one of our students are dreaming big and preparing to succeed in high school and college.

EAPrep Vision

To serve as a model school with a rigorous curriculum that successfully prepares all students, regardless of economic background, for graduation and success in college and career, while also instilling a commitment to community service.

EAPrep Mission

Inspire students to have college aspirations along with the academic skills and work ethic necessary to succeed.

Education & Literacy
Easter Seals Central Texas

Since 1937, Easter Seals Central Texas (originally chartered as the Texas Society for Crippled Children), has been providing services to children and adults with disabilities and their caregivers. In 1949, a small building was dedicated as the Austin Cerebral Palsy Center serving a small population of Central Texas residents. Almost twenty years later, it became the Capital Area Rehabilitation Center, expanding its services, programs and persons served. In 1985, the Capital Area Rehabilitation Center became an official affiliate of the Easter Seals National and was renamed The Capital Area Easter Seals Society. Finally, in 1998, the name was changed to Easter Seals Central Texas. In 2006 ESCT opened its Hays County Workforce Development office and in 2007 Easter Seals moved its headquarters to the current location at 1611 Headway Circle. 2010 brough more change as ESCT expended to include more comprehensive community and housing services. Easter Seals Central Texas currently provides over 7,000 local children and adults with quality, person-centered services and support.

Social Services
EcoRise Youth Innovations

EcoRise Youth Innovations inspires a new generation of green leaders to design an environmentally sustainable future for all. Through solutions-based programming, EcoRise empowers youth to tackle real-world challenges by teaching sustainability, design thinking and social entrepreneurship.

Organization Links:

Follow EcoRise on FaceBook Follow EcoRise on Twitter View EcoRise Videos on Vimeo

Children & Youth
El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission

The mission of El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission is to transform lives by engaging the strengths of working-poor Hispanic families to promote their successful participation in society. Since 1987, we have fulfilled a unique role in Austin as a provider of integrated health care, English-as-Second-Language education, job readiness skills, social services, health education, leadership training, children programs and emergency food assistance for working-poor Hispanic families.

Organization Links:

Follow El Buen on FaceBook Follow El Buen on Twitter View El Buen Videos on YouTube                    

Social Services
EmanciPET

EMANCIPE+ has chosen to advocate for and provide free and low-cost spay/neuter services since day one because we believe it is one of the most efficient and effective methods of reducing the homeless pet population. We provide spay/neuter services throughout the Central Texas area via both mobile and stationary clinics, and serve between 1,200 – 2,000 pets each month. We employ highly skilled veterinary surgeons and veterinary technicians, and our medical protocols exceed the highest standards in veterinary medicine today. 

Animal Welfare
Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO)

Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) is dedicated to planning, prioritizing, and developing strategies to end homelessness in Austin, TX. The overall role of the ECHO is to identify specific strategies and to oversee ongoing planning efforts and implementation of the Plan to End Community Homelessness.

Housing & Poverty
Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas

The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas is a community of entrepreneurs. We amplify the philanthropic efforts of our member companies, their entrepreneurs, boards and employees who invest time, talent and equity to make Central Texas an even better place to live, work and play. Our programs help build successful corporate cultures and allow start-up companies to participate philanthropically, even though charitable funds may be scarce.

Philanthropy Resources
Environmental Defense Fund Austin

Founded in 1967 as the Environmental Defense Fund, we tackle the most serious environmental problems with:Sound science - Economic incentives - Corporate partnerships - Getting the law right. How do we at EDF change the world? We find new ways to take ideas grounded in science and scale them up to transform entire sectors.

Environment
Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest

Seminary of the Southwest forms men and women for the service of Christ in lay or ordained ministry within the church and the larger society. Southwest’s vision is to be a community for formation and leadership within the church supported by a strength of program, endowment, and environment that assures excellence in theological and pastoral education .

Education & Literacy
Equality Texas

Equality Texas advocates and lobbies for the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. 
Equality Texas Foundation educates and engages the public about policies and their effect on Texans of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

Associations
Ex-Student's Association of UT

The saying goes that everything’s bigger in Texas. The Texas Exes are no exception, with our membership of more than 91,000 forming one of the largest, most renowned alumni networks in the world. Since 1885, our mission has remained simple: to connect alumni and friends in order to promote, protect, and preserve The University of Texas. Whether it’s through scholarships, teaching awards, legislative advocacy, The Alcalde magazine, or just plain fun (like hosting the world’s biggest tailgate party before every home football game), the Texas Exes exist to support the University and its proud traditions.  

Education & Literacy
Explore Austin

Founded in 2006, Explore Austin combines the benefits of mentoring and outdoor adventure in a six-year program for 6th through 12th grade inner-city youth. Focusing on team building and leadership training by utilizing its unique ACES framework, Explore Austin helps “Explorers” (we refer to participants as Explorers) increase self-confidence, build character, and develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and those around them. With seven Saturday Events and a week long Summer Wilderness Trip to remote destinations, Explore Austin seeks and attracts motivated students who desire to learn how to become leaders, experience new places, make lasting friendships, and seek challenges. Our hands-on approach and belief in learning by doing means our Explorers leave the program more confident, more experienced, and ready to lead.

Organization Links:

Children & Youth
Extend-A-Care Kids

Extend-A-Care for Kids (EAC) supports families, schools, employers, and communities by providing enriching, affordable, licensed child care for children. We are here for the community to provide a safe, enriching program for children and peace of mind for parents at work or in training. We give hope for the future of our nation and leave a legacy for tomorrow.

Children & Youth
Family Eldercare

Family Eldercare provides critical services to seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers. Our programs offer a continuum of care to help people age in place with dignity and as much independence as possible. Our programs include: In-Home Care & Caregiver Services, Geriatric Consultation and Counseling, Guardianship Services, Money Management, Aging In Place Service Coordination, Lyons Gardens Senior Housing, Lifetime Connections Without Walls and the Summer Fan Drive.

Organization Links:

Like Family Eldercare on FaceBook Follow Family Eldercare on Twitter

Social Services
For The Children

For the Children, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization in the Central Texas area that provides basic school supplies to children that qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program. Our goal is to reach all elementary age children first; currently we serve Pre-K through 4th grade students in ten school districts in Central Texas. We are proud that 100% of funds donated are used to purchase school supplies. This is possible because board members serve a dual purpose of performing in-kind administrative duties and providing the administrative funds required to run the organization and because of in-kind support from area businesses and volunteers.

Education & Literacy
Forefront
  • What are the critical issues facing Austin?
  • How do they affect me, my friends, my job, my family?
  • Who are the thought-leaders and organizations addressing these issues?
  • What can I do to get involved?

Forefront Austin wants to help you answer these questions. Each month we highlight an issue that affects the broad community and bring together local thought-leaders to share their perspectives, research, successes and challenges. We focus on big questions that affect all of us, with an informative, fact-based and non-partisan slant.

Our goal is to encourage a more informed and engaged community. As you read and learn about the issues facing Austin and the organizations that are working to improve the quality of life for all of us, we encourage you to take an action; volunteer, read more, comment, donate; however you are moved.

Please let us know what you think of Forefront Austin; what was helpful, what wasn’t, what you’d like to see more of. Email us at feedback@forefrontaustin.com.

 

Thanks for visiting!

Corporate Partner
Foster Angels of Central Texas Foundation

The Foster Angels of Central Texas Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of children in foster care, ensuring that each child has his or her basic needs met, and to provide life-enriching and life-enhancing experiences whenever possible.

Follow Foster Angels on Facebook

Children & Youth
Foundation Communities

Foundation Communities is a nonprofit organization providing service-enriched, high-quality affordable housing that enables families and individuals with low incomes to permanently improve their educational and economic standing.

Housing & Poverty
Front Steps Inc.

Working to End Homelessness in Austin. At Front Steps, we believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Their mission is to provide a pathway home through shelter, affordable housing, and community education. Providing excellent case management, support, and shelter services, transitioning people experiencing chronic homelessness to a variety of sustainable housing options and educating the community about the needs of men and women experiencing homelessness and innovative approaches to meeting those need.

Housing & Poverty
GENaustin - Girls Empowerment Network

Originally called The Ophelia Project, GENaustin (the Girls Empowerment Network) was created in 1996 by 12 concerned mothers raising adolescent girls in Austin, Texas. These mothers met after reading Reviving Ophelia, a book by Dr. Mary Pipher, to address an increasing trend among middle school aged girls - a systematic decline and sometimes permanent loss of self-esteem, the outcome of which can be devastating: epidemic levels of anorexia/bulimia, selfmutilation, depression, low academic achievement, teen pregnancy, and drug abuse. Their mission is to foster healthy self-esteem in girls by engaging them to explore and define their personal values and to build skills that empower them with confidence and courage to make wise choices.

Children & Youth
Girl Scouts of Central Texas

Girl Scouting builds girls of confidence, courage and character, who make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts is the world’s largest organization dedicated to empowering girls to be leaders. In partnership with adult volunteers, girls develop leadership skills, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

Girl Scouts of Central Texas (GSCTX), serving over 21,000 girls, grades K-12, and nearly 12,000 adult volunteers in 46 Central Texas counties.

Follow GSCTX on FaceBook Follow GSCTX on Twitter View GSCTX Videos on YouTube

Children & Youth
Girls, Inc.

Girls Incorporated is a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and boldSM through a network of local organizations in the United States and Canada. With local roots dating to 1864 and national status in the U.S. since 1945, Girls Inc. responds to the changing needs of girls and their communities through research-based programs and advocacy that empower girls to reach their full potential and to understand, value, and assert their rights. In 2009, Girls Inc. reached over 900,000 girls through Girls Inc. affiliates, our website, and educational publications.

Children & Youth
GirlStart

Girlstart is a non-profit organization created to empower girls to excel in math, science, and technology. Founded in 1997 in Austin, Texas, Girlstart has quickly established itself as a best-case practices leader in empowering, educating, and motivating girls to enjoy and become more proficient in math, science and technology.

Education & Literacy
Giving City

GivingCity is the guide to doing good in Austin. On the website and online magazine, we offer actionable community content with the goal of connecting more Central Texans to philanthropy and improving communication and collaboration across the community.

Philanthropy Resources
GivShop

GivShop is a new venture located in Austin, TX. We’ve created a unique partnership that brings consumers, businesses and non-profit organizations together to harness commerce for the benefit of the local community. We support local businesses and local non-profits by providing consumers with great deals on shopping and fun things to do while generating funds for local charities.

Philanthropy Resources
Gone for Good

Gone For Good will turn your stuff into cash to do good. Refresh, renew, de-clutter, downsize. One call or click to Gone For Good — you're done. Gone For Good will pick it up, sell it! Donate.

Philanthropy Resources
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas is a private, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the mission of providing job-related services for people with barriers to employment. Established in 1958 in Austin, Goodwill served 69 people in its first year of operation. Goodwill now serves thousands of people annually, helping them to gain new job skills and start new lives of independence. Goodwill works in tandem with a wide variety of human service agencies in order to provide the best support network possible for people with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions who are seeking employment. Every day Goodwill helps 5 Central Texans find a job in our community.

Social Services